When Sathya Narayana Raju became Sathya Sai Baba - Part 2

Sri Sathya Sai during His school days

… Continued from Part 1

Tragedy strikes two classmates of Baba 

At that time, a tragic incident occurred. In the school, three students used to sit together in each desk. In the desk where Swami sat, he had on one side the Sheristadar's son and on the other the Revenue Inspector's son. Both of them were fairly well to do. By their continuous association with me in the class, their hearts had been transformed. The day I left the school, both of them suffered a grievous mental shock. They cried "Raju! Raju" in great anguish. When they saw me boarding the bus, the Sheristadar's son lost his mind and fell into a well. "I cannot live without Raju" were his last words. The other boy was always wailing, "Raju! Raju!" and would not take any food or drink. This state of mental imbalance is Unmatha, a spiritual phenomenon. Many people think that this condition is related to the giving up of worldly objects. 

In view of the tragic end of these two boys, their classroom in the school was locked up. Even today there is the desk, which has been named ‘Sathya Sai Baba Desk’.

There was a Headmaster named Lakshmipathi (in the Uravakonda School). He used to summon me to his office as soon as I came to the school. This kind of feeling does not come to everyone. Only those who have been blessed by their good deeds in previous lives have such feelings. As soon as I went into his office, he would close the door. He would ask me to sit in his chair. He would sit on the floor and start massaging my feet. Innocently, I would tell him often: “Sir, you should not do such a thing." Lakshmipathi used to say: "You don't know these things. I know them. There is a great Shakti (power) in you." In this manner, many things used to happen in Uravakonda in those days. 

The remarkable change in Uravakonda 

The town of Uravakonda with the serpent hill in the background

October 20 (1940) is the day that wrought a great transformation in Uravakonda. There was a remarkable change in all the students there. I shall give you a small example to illustrate what an amount of affection and love they had for me. The day after I left, another boy went up to the platform in the school for prayer. He started to pray, but broke down in tears. He remembered Swami and could not continue. When he started crying, everyone in the hall began to cry. The prayer turned into a lamentation. The headmaster said: “There is no need for a prayer. The cry itself is the prayer." From that day, the prayer room was locked up and was later converted into a sacred showroom. 

The students of those days were full of purity. They were not prone to indulge in criticisms and speculations like students of today. Cleverness and intellectual abilities have increased among students today but good qualities have been on the decline. In those days, cleverness was less but goodness was greater. 

Prasanthi Nilayam is now a mini-world

The lights that have been lit to celebrate a memorable event is a symbol of how the Andhra people have imbibed and are spreading the message of Sai. 

Do not think that this is said to flatter you. Consider it as a declaration of truth. What has been accomplished at Prasanthi Nilayam in the past fifty years could not have been achieved even in five hundred years (cheers). Although many avatars have done great things, no avatar has achieved the stupendous things done here in fifty years. All this has been accomplished by this single hand. A splendid university has been established here. A planetarium has been set up. In a small village like this, even an aerodrome is being constructed.

The Prasanthi Nilayam Township with Hills and Dales

The name of Prasanthi Nilayam has spread to all parts of the globe. The whole world exists in miniature in Prasanthi Nilayam. People from all countries are gathering here. Prasanthi Nilayam is now a mini-world. You are going to witness many more things by November 23. 

Will people from other countries come here even if they are invited? But no invitations or promotional literature have been sent to anyone. I am even advising many who wish to come not to do so. This supreme power of attracting so many from all parts of the world can only belong to the Divine (cheers). The fragrance emanating from a flower spreads all over. Does the flower invite the bee? No. But the bee rushes to the flower of its own accord to taste the nectarine honey in it. Does a bee ever go to a plastic flower? Where is Argentina? It is almost at one end of the globe. In Argentina Bhajans are being held in every home (cheers). In Panama, some military officers campaigned against the government in power and called for a 'Sathya Sai Government'. These officers were arrested and kept in a mental asylum on the ground that they had gone crazy. All the military officers were able to convert the nurses and doctors in the hospital to Sai devotees. It is not easy to do this. Such changes can be effected only by a change of heart. 

Devotion alone can protect the world 

If you have been able to carry these lamps, from house to house, it is not the result of something external. The light has come from your hearts. Hence, more than lighting the lamps outside, develop the Jyotis within you and purify your hearts. All Sathya Sai Organisations should be permeated with love. No room should be given to divisive forces. Differences of caste and creed should be totally eschewed. Character alone should be the hallmark of one's community. Love should become an article of faith. Morality determines the nature of a community. The answer to the question, "To which community do you belong?" should be: “I belong to the community of the moral." If anyone asks for your religion, declare: “Love is my religion." 

Develop devotion to God on this basis. Devotion alone protects the entire world and nothing else. No government, no bombs, no tanks can save the world. Devotees alone are the protectors of the world. Developing devotion, having the well-being of the world in view, participate in Nagar Sankirtan (going round one's village or town performing Bhajans)

Source: Divine Discourse on the Golden Jubilee of the Avatar Declaration Day, October 20, 1990.

Celebrating Deepavali with Sri Sathya Sai… - By Sai Pragnan

Sri Sathya Sai celebrating Deepavali in the Prasanthi Nilayam Mandir

It was in the year 2010 that Swami out of His immense love and grace granted me an opportunity to be His student when I joined in my XI standard in Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School. From the very beginning I used to pray to Swami to grant me an opportunity to talk to Him. This was my constant prayer during every night prayer session. 

As it was the year of Bhagavan’s 85th birthday, every day was very special with new surprises. Soon came the most awaited month, November. That year Swami celebrated Deepavali with His students. The 4th of November was my father’s birthday. As my father was present at Puttaparthi itself, I requested my classmate in charge of Aarti to give me a chance on that day. Swami looked physically dull that particular year and He had reduced His conversations with students. I prayed hard and after giving Aarti, I approached Swami. 

As soon as I approached Swami, He looked straight into my eyes and before I could even open my mouth, Swami asked me something. I could not hear anything and Swami repeated it twice. I still could not make out what Swami was telling me. The boy attending on Swami came to my rescue and prompted me that Swami was asking me, “Which place?” I replied “Swami, Hyderabad”. I told Swami that it was my father’s birthday and asked Swami to bless him. 

Then Swami gave me the opportunity to do Padanamaskar and later, while leaving the dais, took the letter from my hand and waited near me for a while and went through the entire letter. I was totally blank and could not utter a word at that particular moment when I was face-to-face with God. Swami moved ahead and I bent down to do Padanamaskar. It was only during the prayer time in the night that I realised that Swami granted my long awaited wish of talking to Him. 

I would like to narrate my father’s experience at this point of time. It was in the year 1965 that Swami visited Hyderabad and stayed at the residence of late Sri Boorgula Rama Krishna Rao, the then Governor of Uttar Pradesh. My father got a polio attack at a very young age and could even not sit straight. Someone suggested my grandfather to go and have Bhagavan’s Darshan. With lots of hope in his heart, he carried the ten year old boy there. But during Darshan, Swami walked past my grandfather without even looking at him. 

All his hopes were shattered and he felt that Bhagavan would give opportunities only to the rich. As soon as this thought struck him, Swami turned back immediately, and walked straight towards my grandparents, who had the child with them. With all love and compassion Swami gave them Laddu Prasadam, blessed my father and then moved on. Gradually, my father could get the strength to sit, stand and walk normally. From then on till date Swami has been the source of strength to him, protecting him all the time.

This incident strengthened my grandfather’s faith in Swami and drew Him towards Swami. He was till then a staunch devotee of Lord Rama and did not worship any other deity. It was again during one of Swami’s visits to Shivam (Swami’s Mandir in Hyderabad) in late 70’s that he had Swami’s Darshan. Being a Telugu poet he took some of his works to be blessed by Swami but he never had the opportunity to have a close Darshan. He then wanted to test Swami one particular day and thought that if Swami was really God then He would come to him and bless his works. Swami, the Omniscient One, compassionately came all the way crossing the crowds to my grandfather to grant his wish which was merely a thought. This strengthened the faith of my grandfather who was speechless. This incident confirmed to him that Swami was God in human form. 

Swami then gradually started drawing the entire family to Him. During the time of my aunt’s marriage, Swami summoned my grandfather to talk about the marriage alliance. My grandfather waited for fifteen days and Swami did not look at him even once. He felt that he had done some mistake and hence Swami was not talking to him. So he decided to do 108 Pradakshinas (circumambulations) around the idol of Shiva, installed in Bhagavan’s place of birth. 

The next day he got high fever which no one knew about. Swami gave him an interview that day and in the interview acknowledged his efforts and said that it was sufficient if he thought of Swami and that he should not have strained himself at that age. Swami once again revealed His Divinity in this way. The entire marriage episode was filled with Divine interventions. Swami even told him that there is a Ganesha temple near our house and asked him to perform the marriage there. 

This way Swami has been the guiding light for my entire family. In 1985, my grandfather decided to admit his son, Ravi Teja, in Swami’s College. Swami graciously blessed him often, revealing His Divinity through small instances. My uncle, being an athlete, participated in the Annual Sports and Games. The long jump event was conducted all of a sudden and the participants were asked to get ready. He was very much interested in the long jump. My uncle did not do his regular warm ups and directly attempted a long jump. 

He landed in a wrong way which eventually led to a ligament tear. He was to stay in the Hostel itself and was asked not to go anywhere. He was dejected as he would miss Bhagavan’s Darshan. He covered himself with a blanket, cried and prayed to Swami. At that point he sensed a pat. He thought it was merely a dream. Lo and behold! There was Swami Himself who opened the blanket telling him, “It is not a dream, it is real”. Swami created Vibhuti and applied it on his forehead giving him an assurance that he would recover soon. A small and sincere prayer resulted in the Lord Himself coming to him while thousands of devotees were yearning for His Darshan in the Mandir at that point of time. It is a testimony to Swami’s abundant Love and Grace. 

During my uncle’s stay at Puttaparthi as a student, it so happened that all his brothers and sisters were at home to celebrate Deepavali with my grandparents. The only one missing was my uncle who was at Prasanthi Nilayam. My grandmother felt very bad and prayed at the altar in front of Swami’s photo and wished her missing son also would spend some time with them. That very evening, Swami summoned my uncle and asked him to leave for Hyderabad immediately. He gave him money and asked him to return the next day. My uncle was amazed at this. He obeyed Swami and started his way home as per Swami’s instructions. My grandmother was shocked to see Ravi Teja when he arrived there on the next day. She came to know from him that Swami had heard her prayers and fulfilled her wish. She shed tears of joy and thanked Swami who is the very Embodiment of Compassion, for showering infinite love and blessings. Swami’s relationship with all of us is the ultimate relationship. We as His dearest children have to realise the true value of this Premabandham, the unique bond of love between Bhagavan and us. 

- Sai Pragnan

Student (2012-2015), Department of Economics

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Prasanthi Nilayam Campus 

Source: Sai Nandana 2015 (90th Birthday Offering)

Conversations with Sri Sathya Sai on the Significance and Story of Deepavali

Wednesday, October 25, 2000 

After giving interviews to a group of people, Swami came to the Ganesh portico. 

Swami : (To Prof. Anil Kumar) Why are you keeping these boys next to you? 

Prof. A. K. : No, Swami, they came and sat here. 

Swami : They are your students only. 

Prof. A. K. : No, Swami. 

Swami : (Pointing to a student) See, this boy is from Guntur. Speak to him. (To the same student) Why has no one gone for work? If you sit next to Anil Kumar, no work will get done. (To Prof. Anil Kumar) How was Abdul Kalam’s speech? (Prof. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Chief Scientific Adviser, Government of India, addressed the students in the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium.) It seems that he asked boys to give the source of a quotation. As a reward, he promised he would give his book as a prize. 

No one could answer the question. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, in Abdul Kalam’s speech, he said that by 2020, India would become a world power. 

Swami : Yes, India will become a spiritual superpower. Did boys ask questions to him? 

Prof. A. K. : Yes, Swami. They asked good questions. 

Swami : Abdul said that Swami’s boys are very good boys. He has not seen such good boys anywhere else. After his current job is over, he wants to come and settle here to teach Physics. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, how is it possible? He is already 70 years old. 

Swami : No, he is only 68. In his speech he mentioned that three types of people are needed today. I asked him what is meant by ‘Punya’. He replied that Punya is one who helps ever and hurts never. 

Prof. A. K. : Yes, Swami. He gave the correct answer. 

Swami : Some boys from Delhi have come. I will give clothes to them and come. (Swami went to the interview room. After some time He came back to the Ganesha portico. To a School student) Time Kya Hai? (What is the time?) 

Student : Swami, it is 4.30 pm. 

Swami : (To Prof. Anil Kumar) Those two boys who came here from Delhi are participating well in Seva activities. 

Prof. A. K. : Yes Swami, they work very well. 

Swami called a boy who was holding a handwritten poem and the audio version of it in a cassette. Swami went through the poem. 

Swami : (To Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Principal, Prof. U. S. Rao) Tomorrow at 8.30 am, I will send the car to pick up your brother. Get him here and I will receive him. 

Warden : Swami, tomorrow boys… 

Swami : (Jokingly) Tomorrow we will conduct your marriage. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, tomorrow is Amavasya (new moon day). People do not have marriage on this day. 

Swami : No, tomorrow is Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the fortnight). Who is Narakasura? 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, he is a demon. 

Swami : He kept 16,000 maidens captive in his palace. On the Deepavali day, Krishna kills Narakasura and frees the maidens. So, Deepavali is celebration of this event. 

An artist's depiction of Lord Krishna and Devi Satyabhama annihilating Demon Narakasura 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, Ashwatha Narayana from Anantapur wants to thank You for giving Prasadam to all the people. Swami, You are always giving. 

Swami : Emi Samaachaaram? (What is the news?) 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, boys want to sing songs tomorrow. 

Swami : Neeku Enduku? (Why for you?) 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, we also like to listen to the songs sung by boys. 

Swami : (Jokingly) I already told you before. I will come with cotton in My ears. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, Vajpayee (Prime Minister of India who underwent a knee-replacement surgery in Mumbai) wanted to be released from Hospital by Deepavali; also people expect Veerappan to release Raj Kumar by Deepavali. Vajpayee is alright now, but may be Veerappan meant next Deepavali. (Everyone laughs.) 

Swami : (To Brindavan Warden) Did your boys attend the speech? 

B. Warden : Yes, Swami. They attended the speech after which they came, had food and then went for classes. 

Swami : Has it become 5.00 pm yet? 

Prof. A. K. : Yes, Swami. It is 5.15 pm. 

Swami : (Referring to the sound of the tablas being tuned in the Bhajan Hall) Ha, yes! That is why the ‘tang, tang’ sound is coming. 

Swami went back to the interview room.

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2000-2001)

Sri Sathya Sai lays the Foundation Stone of Sivam at Hyderabad

Sri Sathya Sai breaking coconuts - a ritual for removing any sorts of obstacles

Wednesday, October 20, 1971 to 

Monday, October 25, 1971 

Swami reached Hyderabad on 20th October, 1971. Swami gave Darshan to the devotees at East Amberpet on 21st evening. At 9 am on 22nd morning, Swami addressed the Mahila Vibhag members and the Bal Vikas teachers at Lata Talkies, and witnessed a cultural programme presented by the Bal Vikas students. On the same evening at 6 pm, Swami inaugurated the opening session of the Prashanti Vidwan Maha Sabha presided over by Prof. Gokak. Swami also gave a Discourse on this occasion. On 23rd evening, Minister Ramalinga Raju presided over the session of the Sabha and Swami gave a Discourse. Sri K. V. L. Narasimham, Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court, presided over the final session on the 24th and Mrs. Santa Barbara spoke prior to Swami’s Discourse. 

Sri Sathya Sai unveiling the stone plague on the occasion

Swami laid the foundation stone for ‘Sivam’ (Swami’s residence at Hyderabad) at 10 am on 25th October, 1971. Justice V. Parthasarathi presided over the function and Swami addressed the devotees. Swami visited the Senior Certified School for Juvenile Delinquents at 6 pm the same evening and gave a Discourse. Swami addressed the members of Seva Dal, Mahila Vibhag, Bhajan units and office bearers at 8 pm. 

Continued...

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)

Video Satsang Season 2 Episode 16: When God Comes To His Devotee - By Ravi Teja

Sri Ravi Teja completed his MBA from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus. Currently, he is serving in Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust - Bhakta Sahayak Division at the Ashram.

In this episode of Video Satsang, he narrates Swami's Omnipresence and His Love for His Devotees.  

When Sathya Narayana Raju Became Sathya Sai Baba - Part 1

An Artist's Sketch of Sathyanarayana Raju
from one of the school group photos

It was the 20th of October (1940), a Monday. This is what I declared on that day: 

Know I am verily Sai Give up your attachments and attempts;

The old relationships are at an end.

No one, however eminent, can alter My resolve.

When I made this declaration, the families of Thammiraju, Hanumantha Rao, Bhojaraju and Seshmaraju, all themselves declared with one voice against my leaving (the home). This happened at Uravakonda. When the awareness of the human body and of the presence of Divine exists in one, a certain amount of dispassion and renunciation is required to manifest this state of mind. 

Municipal Chairman's adoration 

While I was in Uravakonda, the Municipal Chairman of Bellary, Ramaraju, came to see Swami, who was then familiarly called "Raju." Seeing Swami he told Seshamaraju: "We shall take this boy to Bellary and keep him with us during the holidays." He added: “Seshamaraju! You are regarding this lad as an ordinary boy. That is not so. The effulgence on his face and his purity have moved my heart. There is a Divine effulgence within him. Do not be deluded. You may also come with him and stay with us." 

Swami's Teacher - Sri Thammiraju
and Smt. Kameswaramma, his wife

From there, the Municipal Chairman took us to Hampi. Do not consider what I am going to say now as something boastful or fanciful or exaggerated. The entire party went into the Virupaksha temple. If I had said I would not come with them into the temple, others might feel angry or offended. I said I was having stomach ache and did not wish to go into the temple. All the members of the party including Thammiraju, went in. They were about 50 or 60 persons. Ramaraju was thinking only of God and nothing else. He entreated me repeatedly to come with him. I was a very small boy then. He held both my hands and pleaded, "Please, please, come." But seeing my firm resolve, he did not press me further. 

Raju as Virupaksha 

Inside the temple, harathi was being offered to the deity, but Virupaksha was not there! Only Raju was in the sanctum! Seshamaraju got angry. He felt that having refused to enter the temple, Raju had somehow got in and stood in the sanctum. This, he felt, was gross sacrilege. He could not contain his anger. But Ramaraju did not think in that manner. He felt that "Raju is Virupaksha and Virupaksha is Raju." 

Seshamaraju came out of the temple and found me sitting under a tree. He was always very suspicious. He sent someone inside to find out whether Raju was there, while he himself stayed outside to keep a watch over Raju under the tree. Raju was inside the temple as well as under the tree! Seshamaraju felt very happy internally, but he did not speak to me about it, treating it as a unique experience for himself. 

The Virupaksha Temple at Hampi

Then they brought me to Bellary. While staying there for a few days, the Municipal Chairman introduced me to various officers, speaking highly about me. I was not addressed as "Swami" in those days, but only as "Raju". Some of the officers seemed to feel that the Chairman was making much of a small boy like me and even tried to make fun of it. Before bringing me to Bellary the Municipal Chairman got made for me a shirt and a pair of knickers. I am so small even now. You can imagine how much shorter I was then. In those days, that is, fifty years ago, it was fashionable for young boys to have a pin for the shirt collar. The collar pin was a status symbol and a mark of affluence. The Municipal Chairman was wondering what else to give me besides the clothes. He went to a goldsmith and got a gold collar pin made for me in one hour. Pinning it on my shirt, he said: “Raju! You should be remembering me whenever you wear this pin." 

Baba's attainment of freedom from Maya 

We returned to Uravakonda by bus. Two days later the school reopened. I was going to school. On the way, the collar pin fell from the shirt. (It could not be found). The loss of the collar pin freed me from attachment (to worldly things). Then I sang a song:

October 20th was a Monday

Returning from Hampi Baba was going to school.

The collar pin was lost and could not be found.

That clay was the day of transformation.

The loss of the pin was the cause of a big change.

The link with worldly ties have gone.

The pilgrimage to Hampi also served its purpose;

Freedom from Maya was attained.

Sri Anjaneyulu

That day I left the home. Attachment to worldly objects is a kind of Maya (illusion). When these objects are given up, there is freedom from Maya. The same day I went to the Excise Inspector Anjaneyulu's bungalow. He was one of those who on seeing Swami felt a kind of spiritual urge. His house was on the way to my house. He used to prepare some edibles and wait, together with his wife, for my arrival. They would send their children inside lest they should form some impressions about the parents. As soon as I entered the house, both of them would hold my feet. I used to tell them often: "Sir, you are an elder. You should not touch my feet." He would reply: "Raju, we may appear elders in terms of the body. But in terms of wisdom, we are very small. You are verily Krishna himself." They used to describe me like this. They would do it in great privacy, lest others should scoff at them. 

Emergence of Raju as Sathya Sai 

On that October 20th, I did not go to the school. In the school I used to lead the prayers everyday. There was a platform with a few steps. In the prayer there was a song which ran as follows: 

Aharaha Thava Aahvaana Prachaarita Shuni Thava Udaara Vaani 

Hindu Bauddha Sikha Jaina Paarasika Mussalmaan Christaani. 

Even in those days there was the recognition of the oneness of all religions. Some of the teachers used to wonder how this boy was propagating the unity of all religions. As I did not go to school that day, there was a commotion in the school, with everyone asking, "Where is Raju?" No boy was present at prayer-time. All the boys rushed to Anjaneyulu's house. I did not see any of them. I was just sitting on a rock. The boys were discussing among themselves: "Some change has come over Raju. What has happened to him? Could something have occurred in his home to upset him after his return from Hampi." 

I declared then: "If you want to know who I am take a photograph of me". When the photo was taken, the picture of Shirdi Baba was in front of me. At that time no one knew who Sai Baba was. In the gathering here today, Anjanayya is present. He is now the Chairman of the Sathya Sai Organisation in Anantapur district. He knows about that photo. 

The Photograph taken on October 10, 1940

I told the boys to go to the school and start the prayer. Meanwhile, Seshamaraju sent a telegram to Puttaparthi regarding the events in Uravakonda. The parents came hurriedly to Uravakonda to take me away to Puttaparthi. At that time, there was no bus service even upto Bukkapatnam. Buses plied only up to Penukonda. From there, people had to go by bullock cart. All the boys declared that they also wanted to go with Raju.

Continued as Part 2…

Source: Divine Discourse on the Golden Jubilee of the Avatar Declaration Day, October 20, 1990.

From Love, To Love, With Love – By Nishad Mishra

We open the pages of history to find in them kings, their people, their palaces, their courts, their treasures. The present day scenario is something of the same sort, but the king is not an ordinary one. He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Yes, He is Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Prasanthi Nilayam is His palace, the world is His court, nature His treasure. He is for all. All are for Him. He is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. He is Sarvadevata Swaroopa. He is Sat-Chit-Ananda. 

He is Rama. He is Krishna. He is Satya, Dharma, Shanti, and Prema. He is king who loves His citizens, who knows only how to give. His power is matchless; His fame spreads in the Trilokas. He conquers hearts. His ways are Divine. Each and every action of His has a purpose of its own. 

A devotee once asked Swami, “Swami, is it that when You raise both Your hands You pour out more grace than by raising only one hand?” Swami smiled. Perhaps the innocence of the question had made Him do so. He replied in a gentle manner, “When I raise only one hand, I point out that five values are required for good and spiritual life. These are Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa. On the other hand, when I raise both hands to bless you, I mean to say that you could never become one like Dashanana (Ravana) but try to become Dasharatha.” 

Way back in the 1970’s, Swami, while giving Darshan stopped near a devotee and told him, “Stop watching movies, your salary will increase. Stop smoking, you will have a double promotion. Stop drinking and you will be happy and peaceful.” He was happy and said, “Swami, I will do so.” This devotee was a peon with a monthly salary of Rs.480/-, and lived in a small house with his wife and children. He followed the Divine command. Gradually, his condition improved. His salary was raised to Rs.11,000/- per month. He got a double promotion. He bought a spacious apartment and now leads a happy life. If it isn’t for his determination and obedience, he would never have done it. Man today has lost compassion, love, tolerance and sympathy. Swami often says, “Live in love.” But life is not only love. Love is a part of life. Compassion, tolerance, sympathy and non-violence are aspects of life. These are only aspects. They don’t have forms. Therefore, one should put his or her good feelings into action and all should receive joy. We all have a lot of love for Swami. We feel happy when we see Swami but we don’t understand that Swami loves us also. Only by putting effort can we understand it; only then will we be able to attain complete bliss. Swami knows about everything happening in and around quote an incident in this context. 

Normally Swami gives His discourse after the other speakers express their views. On a certain occasion, a great scientist had been invited to deliver a speech on ‘Crystal Theory’. His lecture was on a particular day, just before Swami was to speak, but in course of time, the Lord got up and started His discourse scientist thought that this man (Swami) would speak only about Satya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema. Then suddenly, he heard Swami asking him to be quiet, and in the next hour, Swami poured out everything that the scientist had got after vigorous research of 15 years. The scientist realised his mistake.

It was the month of November. My parents were returning home one evening and it was becoming dark. As it was a hilly area and after dark, there was danger of robberies and animal attacks, my father was driving his scooter faster than usual. As he neared a bridge across a small stream, he saw a few people waving their hands for a lift. As he had heard of many such incidents of people asking passersby for a lift and thus robbing them, he further increased his speed. As soon as he neared the people, the people shouted out at him to stop. As he did not stop, they threw a big piece of a bamboo towards him. My mother shouted “Sai Ram!” She was seeing the bamboo zooming towards her forehead. She suddenly felt some sort of a force, which stopped the bamboo, and thus my parents escaped. Who else other than our Beloved Lord would have helped them! 

A similar incident happened to them again, but this time, it wasn’t men who attacked, but beasts. My parents were returning home on a scooter from a temple where a famous Oriya festival called ‘Ashta Prahari’ was being conducted. As they neared the lake in our place, they saw a bear jumping on the footpath on the left end of the road. Down the hill came another four or five bigger bears. My father slowed down the scooter. He looked to his left searching for a way to escape from the bears. Suddenly, he lost balance due to a heavy jolt and fell off the scooter. My mother fell near the group of bears, but believe it or not happened! My father recovered quickly and helped my mother get up. They were safe except for a few scratches. The people who happened to see what actually happened gathered around them. There was a bear besides the bougainvillea bush. Seeing a car on the other side of the road, it had jumped, but by chance had hit my father’s scooter and thus caused the accident. If it were not for Swami’s action, would it have been possible for two people to escape from those ferocious bears? 

Swami is always there with us, for us. We need not be frustrated due to the ways of the world. We need to just rely upon Him to pull our boats across the ocean of Maya. He is ready to help, but He is only waiting for us to take the first step towards Him. So, what are we waiting for? 

- Nishad Mishra

Alumnus, Department of Physics

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Source: Sai Nandana 2005 (80th Birthday Offering)

Sri Sathya Sai Converses with a Devotee from Greece

October 26, 1998

Swami : “Ramakrishna” practice Chesara? (Did you practice “Ramakrishna"? Referring to the role of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in the Convocation drama.) 

Warden : Swami, please come today.

Swami : You practice for 3-4 days then I will come. (After sometime, to the students) Your director is telling that I cannot come today.

Students : Please Swami, come today.

Swami : Practice for one more day. I will see all the five scenes tomorrow. (To a Primary School student) Where have you come from?

Student : Swami, Simla.

Swami : Simla! (To another student) You?

Student : Swami, Sikkim.

Swami : Why have you not gone home?

Student : Swami, I am in band. 

Swami : What do you play?

Student : Drum.

Swami : How many drums?

Student : Swami, 22

Swami : (To the Institute bandleader) How many drums in your band?

Student : Swami, 4.

Swami : Only 4! Dam Dam Karta Hai No Talam. (The boy was from Calcutta and Dam Dam is the name of the Calcutta Airport.)

(To the Primary School boy) How many clarinets?

Student : Swami, 8.

Swami : (To the Primary School band leader) In yours?

Student : 4, Swami. (Swami smiled)

Swami : How many flutes?

Student : Swami,6.

Swami : (To the Institute band leader) How many flutes in your band?

Student : Swami, two. (Swami again gave a smile)

Swami : (To the Primary School student) What is the size of the flute? Big or small?

Student : Medium size, Swami.

Swami : Good. For small boys, medium is correct. (To Warden) Good boys. The best boys are Primary School boys, and then the Secondary School boys and last Institute boys. (To the Primary School students) Are you learning marching?

Student : Yes, Swami. We have learnt slow march.

Swami : How many days did it take?

Student : Swami, two days.

Swami : Good. When did the teacher come?

Student : On 23rd.

Swami : Today is 26th. Within two days, they have learnt. (To Institute students) You boys…six months Ho Gayaa…Nahin Aaya! (Even after six months you did not get it.)

Student : Swami, we are practicing a new slow march.

Swami : Kya practice Kartaa Hai. No Swaram no Taalam. Kya Prayojan? (What practice you do? There is no Swaram or Taalam.) On birthday, let the Institute boys go in the front. Let Primary School band be near Me in the procession.

Warden : Swami, they are practising.

Swami : Bolo six months Hua Ki Nahin? Slow march Bhi Nahin Aaya (Six months have passed, they have not yet learnt even the slow march.) Primary School boys play bagpipers also. They have to hold it under the arm. It is more difficult to play. (Swami went inside the interview room and came back with a file containing a letter from a Bala Vikas student from America. Swami called an Institute student and asked him to read out the poem to others. It was a prayer to Sai in the form of a beautiful poem expressing their desire to see Swami physically. Swami then called a devotee) He had gone to America and Canada. He visited many Sai centres there. He also visited many schools. There the children kept asking him to tell more and more about Swami. (To the devotee) How long were you in America?

Devotee : Swami, one and half months.

Swami : In Canada?

Devotee : About one and half months, Swami.

Swami : The children there were very interested to know about the water project. Krishna Singh, who had also gone there, had taken a video cassette to America to show them about the water project. Seeing this, they too have taken a vow to undertake a water project in America. Tell them about the devotion of the children.

Devotee : Very nice children, very devoted, Swami.

Swami : All 3rd class students…small children. They were so interested to know about Swami. Very devoted. They sit and meditate for long periods of time. They kept asking more about Swami. This is real devotion. There is darkness under the very lamp. You go to Tirupati and see all the people are from outside Tirupati whereas the people from Tirupati itself never climb the hill to see Venkateshwara. Same is the case with Kashi. When I went there I observed that all those who come to Vishwanath temple are from outside of Kashi, from south. (Swami then called a Greek devotee…) He has come from Bangalore by walk. 

Swami : (To the devotee) Where do you come from?

Devotee : Greece, Bhagavan. From Bangalore, three others and me came walking and chanting “Jai Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaya Namah.”

Swami : How did you carry the luggage?

Devotee : On the back, Bhagavan.

Swami : Why do you come here spending so much money?

Devotee : Swami gives.

Swami : (To students) He has been coming here for many years. (To the devotee) How many years?

Devotee : Swami, 26 years.

Swami : He is not yesterday’s devotee. His sister also comes.

Devotee : Yes, Bhagavan. Bhagavan, she is in-charge of the books. She has been coming here since 1970.

Swami : What is your age?

Devotee : 51 years.

Swami : No marriage?

Devotee : No, Bhagavan. All are sisters. Sister is also not married.

Swami : Good devotion. When are you going back?

Devotee : Swami, I came yesterday. After Your birthday celebrations I will go back. Swami, some problem in the throat.

Swami : Do you sing?

Devotee : Yes, Bhagavan. Every Thursday. I also teach Bhajans.

Swami : Teaching Bhajans! Very happy. (Calling another Greek devotee) He acted as Sita in a drama. They have 100 acres of land in Greece. Lots of tractors and bulldozers are there. Their mother said, “You two brothers go and serve Swami. I will drive the tractors. (To the Greek devotee) Does your mother drive bulldozer?

Devotee : Yes, Swami.

Swami : When are you going back?

Devotee : Swami, after Your birthday. 

Swami : So many days. Mother is alone there.

Devotee : Swami is with her.

Swami : (To students) Mother tells them not to marry, serve Swami only. (To the devotee) Do you want to marry?

Devotee : No. I want only Swami.

Swami : What is your plan for birthday?

Devotee : Swami, Bhaja Govindam drama.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya (780-822 AD)

Swami : Who is Shankaracharya’s mother?

Devotee : Aryamba.

Swami : Father?

Devotee : Shivaguru.

Swami : Guru?

Devotee : Govinda Vallabhachari.

Swami : (To students) Even Indians do not know all these. He tells everything in detail. Who are brothers of Rama?

Devotee : Bharata, Shatrughna…

Swami : Lakshmana also. Who is Mrs. Rama?

Devotee : Sita.

Swami : Your Mrs.? (The devotee smiled)

Devotee : Swami, for the 75th Birthday we want to come from Greece by walk.

Swami : From Greece! No. Not good. Health is important.

Devotee : Jai Bhagavan.

Swami : What is the meaning of Jai? Jai means victory. Victory to the Lord. (The Greek devotee then took Padanamaskar and walked backwards. Swami instructed him to turn around and walk straight. Then to students…) Look at his devotion and look at yourself! (Smiling)

Source: Students with Sai : Conversations (1991-2000)